Next Stage

New Pbcc Theater Wiz Revels In Spotlight's Wide Arc.

When professor Richard Allen arrived at Palm Beach Community College this school year, it marked some major changes for both him and PBCC.

For one thing, Allen moved from Texas to Florida. For another, he switched from a four-year university (Texas Tech in Lubbock) to a two-year community college.

And he replaced two veteran professors in the theater department who had taught generations of students.

Frank Leahy, senior instructor, had joined PBCC in 1958. Sunny Meyer, assistant professor, had joined PBCC in 1967. Both retired before the 1995-96 school year began.

Following in Leahy's and Meyer's footsteps hasn't intimidated Allen, though.

"In any new job, you will be under a magnifying glass to see what you can do," Allen said.

After working at Texas Tech, and Austin Community College before that, Allen said PBCC's smaller size is especially appealing.

"I didn't want a job at a large univeristy, but a small college or university," he said.

He likes getting to know his students, he said. That's something that doesn't happen with classes of between 100 and 200 students.

On PBCC's central campus in Lake Worth, there are only about 20 theater majors. Although the drama classes are open to other students, Allen said his classes have about 20 students each. That's a teacher-student ratio Allen likes.

As such, his students can actively participate in class and get individual attention, too, Allen said.

That way, when his students transfer as juniors to four-year colleges and universities, "They are well-prepared academically and practically," Allen said.

Allen credits Richard Holcolmb, who chairs PBCC's division of fine arts, with giving him plenty of freedom to work.

"I have the opportunity here basically to build the program of my dreams," Allen said. "It's wide open. I can accomplish anything within the limits of finances, the community and the state [legislative guidelines)."

FOR THE RECORD - ******CORRECTION PUBLISHED FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1996*****Because of a reporting error, the name of the new theater professor at Palm Beach Community College's central campus in Lake Worth was incorrectly given in a story in Sunday's Palm Beach Plus.The professor's name is David Allen.We regret the error.

Allen not only teaches, he also directs. He directed a student performance of Lend Me a Tenor last year, and a female version of Neil Simon's classic Broadway comedy The Odd Couple this year. The latter just completed its run.

An early decision was to hire Jodi Dixon, the drama teacher at Santaluces High School in Lantana, as an adjunct professor.

"I love it," Dixon said. "I want to teach on the college level [full-time) and this is helping me."

For now, Dixon is helping Allen reach out to local high schools, encourage students to attend PBCC productions, and identify potential PBCC scholarship recipients.

"I love his enthusiasm," Dixon said of Allen.

PBCC sophomore Sarah Anderson, a theater major, took classes with Leahy and Meyer before she took a break from college. She recently returned to PBCC, took direction from Allen and starred in The Odd Couple.

"Mr. Leahy is a fabulous director and I miss him," Anderson said. "But if anybody is to fill his shoes, it's Dr. Allen. He's an incredible director with excellent timing and a great sense of humor. He knows his job and he does it well, and he keeps the cast on its toes."

Allen has set a good tone for the department, Anderson said.

"We're all enthused," she said. "We want to make this department the best."

Trevor J. Holden, also a sophomore majoring in theater, took classes from Meyer and was directed by her in four productions. They became close, Holden said, so Allen's hire was a real change.